The audit showed an increase in total net assets from $366,016 to $1,060,036 and a decrease in total liabilities from $2,027,601 to $1,869,012 for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2013.

School leaders exercised more control over their own budgets in the 2012-13 school year, Bryant said, which made “a big difference” in how ReNEW managed its money. The leaders ended the year with budget surpluses that were rolled over into the current school year.

ReNEW’s $500,000 line of credit expired Dec. 19, but was reissued with a $800,000 line of credit, Bryant said.

Bryant also presented the current budget, which showed that “intersessions” are costing more than projected. ReNEW’s intersessions allow students to receive extra attention during break periods. Some of ReNEW’s school leaders chose not to have a winter intersession in order to save money, Bryant said, though they all still intend to hold spring and summer intersessions.

Lisa Giarratano Hearin, ReNEW’s director of math curriculum and instruction, gave an overview of the organization’s transition to Common Core standards.

Her presentation showed the following timetable for phasing out current curriculum and transitioning to new English and math curricula and assessments.

Grade

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

Pre-Kindergarten

Current

Current

New

New

Kindergarten

Current

New

New

New

1

Current

New

New

New

2

Current

Transitional

New

New

3-8

Current

Transitional

Transitional

New

High school

Current

Transitional

Transitional

New

Hearin said the transition has been smooth, with the exception of some parents being unfamiliar with the new ways of learning and teachers not having many resources available for lesson planning.

Development Manager Pete Rodway announced he will begin to shift away from his duties at ReNEW Schools in March to take a new job in Chicago.

The next board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13, at ReNEW Accelerated High School, 3649 Laurel St.

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I was proud that, as the most recent school performance scores were released, the state honored Harriet Tubman Charter School for both “equity” in its admissions practices and for achieving “top gains” in its academic performance. The twin designations mean that Tubman students of all ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and special-need status are making strong academic gains at the same rate.